Fieldays hold out the begging bowl
OPINION: When someone says “we don’t want a handout, we need a hand up” it usually means they have both palms out and they want your money.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
She says structural assessments confirmed that the hub/services building is beyond practical repair.
While the board has committed significant funding to support this, the planning is already underway to secure additional funding for replacement, she says.
"For some, this may feel like the end of an era and [we've] reassured them that any parts of the building with particular significance can be salvaged and repurposed elsewhere on the property as appropriate," she says.
The new building is part of a new plan to set up Mystery Creek for future growth and resilience.
"This new 'master plan' will reflect our commitment to progress and sustainability," says Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.